Modern Music Theory

At School of Synthesis we cover music theory for modern applications in a small class of between 1-9 people. This comprehensive course teaches the principles and elements of Modern Music Theory through hands-on learning using the powerful Scaler 3 plugin as a music theory tool.

EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES A FREE COPY OF SCALER 3 (VALUED AT $149) TO KEEP PERMANENTLY.

Course Overview

Explore the field of music theory and melodic composition through the innovative Scaler 3 plugin, and discover how modern music theory principles are directly applicable in today’s production landscape. This course combines theoretical understanding with practical application, using Scaler 3’s advanced features to help you apply musical concepts while creating compelling compositions. You’ll learn to harness the emotional power of scales, chords, and progressions to bring out the exact feelings and colours you want in your music.

Course Level

This course is perfect for producers and musicians who want to deepen their understanding of harmonic relationships and melodic construction. The course is suitable for beginners to music theory, those looking to formalise their intuitive knowledge, and experienced producers wanting to add harmonic sophistication to their work.

Course content and features

• Understand the fundamentals of scales and modes, and learn how to choose scales based on their emotional characteristics
• Understand diatonic scales and how different modes create distinct moods and colours in your music
• Create compelling chord progressions using triads and understanding chord relationships through scale degrees
• Learn advanced chord techniques including inversions, voicings, extensions, and variations
• Create rhythmic lead lines and rhythmic chord patterns using Scaler 3’s Articulations and Expressions.
• Explore borrowed chords and modal interchange to add sophisticated harmonic colour to your compositions
• Develop key modulation skills using Scaler’s Modulation Pathways to create smooth transitions between different tonal centres and compatible scales
• Build longer, more complex progressions and connect different song sections harmonically
• Write compelling melodies, basslines, and lead parts that work together musically
• Study popular song examples demonstrating how theory applies in real-world compositions
• Practice hands-on composition exercises with personalised feedback and guidance

Course objectives

By the end of this course you should be able to:

• Understand Scales, Intervals and melodic motion
• Understand and apply modes based on their emotional characteristics
• Understand music theory conventions and notation systems including Roman numeral analysis and chord symbols
• Choose appropriate scales and modes based on the emotional content you want to convey
• Write compelling chord progressions using triads, extensions, inversions, and borrowed chords
• Create smooth key modulations and connect different song sections harmonically
• Write leads, basslines, and melodic parts that work harmonically within your chosen scales
• Build extended chord progressions from simple 4-bar patterns into full song arrangements
• Apply advanced harmonic concepts like modal interchange and chord substitutions
• Understand the relationship between different musical elements and how they interact
• Develop your own compositional voice through structured theoretical understanding
• Create music with clear harmonic direction and purposeful emotional impact
• Navigate and utilise all major features of Scaler 3 and use it confidently to enhance your own productions

EXCLUSIVE LEARNING TOOLS INCLUDED

Permanent access to our guides and articles in our Content Portal:
Each student gets access to detailed notes and references covering all courses
and providing a valuable ongoing and updated resource to aid learning
reinforcement.

Carbon Electra:
Each enrolment includes a software licence to use the award-winning Carbon
Electra, one of the world’s leading synthesizers.

School of Synthesis Producer Pack:
Each enrolment includes a carefully selected VST/AU plugin pack for Windows
and MAC OSX with everything you need to get producing, including some of the
best EQs, Compressors, FX and Limiters available.

Analogue Sequences:
Each enrolment includes an authorised download of the Loopmasters Analogue
Sequences pack designed by School of Synthesis trainers.

SOS Loopmasters Pack:
All SOS students receive 2 gigabytes of samples from the award-winning
Loopmasters collection.

Educational Discounts:
As an SOS student, you will be eligible for student discounts from Ableton,
Output, Fabfilter, Rob Papen, Plugin Boutique and more. Information on
educational discounts will be sent to you via email upon enrolment.

Learning methods:
Each session commences with a group demonstration and discussion, followed by
solo work on one of our eight Mac workstations where you will practise set
themes and techniques derived from real-world applications of the technology.
Upon demonstrating your command of the necessary skills you will be further
encouraged to add originality to your recreations and save various versions of
your work.

Additional resources and materials:
All hardware and software is supplied, though we recommend students bring a
storage device (eg. a portable USB drive) to save and back up all work, and a
pen and paper to take notes. We also recommend students own a PC or MAC.
Students can bring their own laptops to class so the tutor can assist with
setting up software like Rekordbox.

Assessment and feedback:
You will save successive work and will receive regular support, encouragement
and feedback from your tutor. All students will receive a t-shirt, sticker and
completion certificate upon the successful completion of the course. At the
conclusion of the course, you will be invited to leave feedback and evaluate
your experience, at which point we’ll email you a link to a suite of exclusive
sounds and various discount offers from the School and its partners to say
‘thanks’!